Restoration Rod?

[koryrasmussen55]

So when my Dad left when I was two he only left one thing behind, an old fly fishing rod with 4 missing eyes and a crack at the tip. I want to restore the rod and start fly fishing but am not sure if this rod is even worth putting forth time and effort to do so. Its made of Tunkin cane. If anyone has any information for me about the rod or any ideas of whether its worth it or not to restore please let me know.

[Lotech Joe]

Kory,
Your rod is a Horrocks & Ibotson Governor. They were among many makers, ie; Soutbend, Montague & others, who mass produced bamboo fly rods. They were sold in granges, hardware stores and department stores. They were basically blue collar fly rods and for the most part were 7 weights. I noticed from your 2nd and 3rd pictures that there is some delamination between the flats. If you want to rebuild it for a wall hanger, that would be cool. I can't really tell without looking at it in person if it's worth rebuilding to fish. Are the sections straight and do the ferrules fit together well and pop when separated are a couple of questions to ask yourself. Is the rod important enough as a memento to rebuild is another. If you want to rebuild it by all means give it a try. Check out my article about rebuilding bamboo rods in the "Tackle Box Tales" on this website's homepage. Here is the link. You may find it helpful. Most of all, have fun with your project and go slow.

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReadArti ... =15&id=216

Good Luck,
Let us know what you decide.

Here's another link;

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReadArti ... =15&id=281

[koryrasmussen55]

The sections are straight and it does give a "pop!" when the sections are separated. Its the only fly rod I have and figure it might not be a bad idea to restore it so i have something to start fly fishing with.

[Lotech Joe]

The sections are straight and it does give a "pop!" when the sections are separated. Its the only fly rod I have and figure it might not be a bad idea to restore it so i have something to start fly fishing with.

Go for it. And have fun.

[Marc Martyn]

Kory,

Since the rod is the only connection you have with your dad, I would suggest restoring it and like Joe said, make it a wall hanger. If you are going to start fly fishing, you could get a complete starter kit like Cortland's kit with everything you need. They retail for around $80.00 for line , rod, case, reel, leader and I think flies. The new rods far surpass the technology of the 30's-40's. You would learn much easier and enjoy casting more with a new rod. Joe's, Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse all have entry level fly rod/reel kits.

[koryrasmussen55]

ok thanks, ive been looking at some fly fishing combos online and dont know what one will be the best bang for my buck.

[Marc Martyn]

Since you are beginning, I would advise you to go to one of the big sporting stores like I listed above and talk with them. They will ask the appropriate questions and you provide the answers. They can then suggest a rod combo for you. Cabela's has some great combos in their stores.

[kutthroatkilla]

Kory --

I catch tons of fish on this set-up. You don't want those "packaged tools" of a fly rod, etc. although some are O.K.

Here's what you might want to consider:

Go with a Temple Fork Signature (if you buy a Temple Fork it's a lifetime guarantee for the rod -- can't go wrong - if it breaks you get a new one on them) 4 or 5 WT and get an Okuma reel. They have a good one for around $49.99. The reel and rod for under $150 and the reel ain't plastic...and this will last you for years. This way you can change your spools out as well.

...buy your flies at a local fly shop. You need two or three spools...one floating line...one ISL, and another FS line...the full sinking line is the ticket in the summer...and streamers and lil nymphs work really well man. When you start out all you really need is floating line and you can add sink tip.

Hope to get you on some fish with the fly this summer. Just don't buy a package cause the flies are horrible and the reels are plastic...not ideal...get quality and definately get the stuff that will last awhile for ya...just my .02

Later man.

[A9]

As Marc mentioned, I'd also suggest putting in sometime to "restore" that rod and make it something real nice. Would be a real fulfilling and rewarding job to get that thing looking back in great shape.
My uncle built a fly rod a few years back. Took him a lot of time, but he loved every minute of it and still loves to show it off and fish with it when he does toss a bug around...
Would be a fun little job for ya. Lots of information/books/people out there to help guide you through it...

[koryrasmussen55]

thanks for all the help guys, the funny thing about this all is my Dad contacted me the other day and i got to talk to him for the first time and we started talking about fishing and today he is going to take me to outdoor emporium and get me a whole fly fishing setup. Rod, reel, line, flies everything. :thumleft:

[Marc Martyn]

thanks for all the help guys, the funny thing about this all is my Dad contacted me the other day and i got to talk to him for the first time and we started talking about fishing and today he is going to take me to outdoor emporium and get me a whole fly fishing setup. Rod, reel, line, flies everything. :thumleft:

Now, how cool is that! Enjoy your time with him.:thumright

[koryrasmussen55]

so i got everything i need to start fly fishing. I now have a 8ft 5 wt W.W. Grigg fly rod, a redington crosswater fly reel, some floating line, leaders and a few flys.

[kutthroatkilla]

so i got everything i need to start fly fishing. I now have a 8ft 5 wt W.W. Grigg fly rod, a redington crosswater fly reel, some floating line, leaders and a few flys.

Nice. You're set to go! Did you buy any tippet material? When I started out some time ago I didn't know how to tie tippet and just buzzed thru tons of leaders. I learned quick. Glad you got to talk/spend time with your father and it appears you have a very nice set-up. A good place to learn is on a grassy soccer field (casting) and then since you live in Rention I'd hit up the Cedar River for practice and you might hook a monster cutt! Good stuff Kory and hope it works out well for you...you can always buy an extra spool and add different lines as you progress with your skills...Bests, KTK

[koryrasmussen55]

thanks man, and yeah i got some ive already replaced the tip of my leader using a nail knot haha ive been practicing so much in my yard and i think ive got the hang of casting. Is the cedar river open for fly fishing now?

[A9]

thanks man, and yeah i got some ive already replaces the tip of my leader using a nail knot haha ive been practicing so much in my yard and i think ive got the hand of it. Is the cedar river open for fly fishing now?

Summer time I believe. I think it's a June 1st opener. Check the regs. I hear it's a real cool CnR fishery and some real nice fish can be taken...
It's on my to-do list this year...

[koryrasmussen55]

would you want to go fish the cedar river with me?

[kutthroatkilla]

would you want to go fish the cedar river with me?

It's with the June 1st river opener, I'll double check the new regs though to make sure. It is solely just C&R. It's really fun. Be very careful where you park, epecially if up towards Landsburg, due to high car prowling areas. They know us fishermen, etc. It's a great place to toss dries (EHC's, Royal Wulffs, Royal Coachmens, and lots of nymphs -- lightening bugs, and hares ears, copper johns, etc. are all keepers along with bloody mary's. I'd be game to fish it with you some evening in late June. I'll PM you when that time rolls around. It's really fun and is best fished with a good quality fly line that Rio makes...you can add some split shots to your leader and that's all you need...it's really, really fun cause you hook into the LW cutthroat that I use to catch in the winter/spring time -- although they usually run smaller -- 12-18"...still very nice...with some 4-6 pounds cutts C&R'd every year in the Cedar... KTK

[koryrasmussen55]

ok, sounds great. Yeah just PM me when you want to go in June and ill see if i can meet you out there.

[kutthroatkilla]

ok, sounds great. Yeah just PM me when you want to go in June and ill see if i can meet you out there.

Here are the 08-09 regs for the Cedar River...it's very close to where you live so I would definately hit this up all the time come summer if at all possible...

CEDAR RIVER (King Co.) from mouth to Cedar Falls (712)
CLOSED WATERS - from Landsburg Rd. Bridge (river mile 21.5) to Cedar Falls.
ALL SPECIES - selective gear rules and night closure.
All Game Fish June 1-Aug. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit. Release TROUT.

It's always fun. Good luck with your set-up and mount that old rod on the wall...that's definately a keeper...good stuff...KTK

[koryrasmussen55]

Thanks Kutt hope to be seeing ya in June fishin the cedar.